Biblical Epics

March 28, 2014 2:22 AM

Photo: Terry Disney/Getty Images

Image 1of/27

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 27

No wonder Biblical stories should have a place in cinema, when you consider the place it held for centuries in painting and sculpture. What a perfect combination -- paint a nude and get credit for religious instruction. Here we see Bathsheba receiving a letter from David, by Willem Drost (1630-1680). (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images); Paris, Musée Du Louvre. less

No wonder Biblical stories should have a place in cinema, when you consider the place it held for centuries in painting and sculpture. What a perfect combination -- paint a nude and get credit for religious ... more

Photo: DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI, De Agostini/Getty Images

No wonder Biblical stories should have a place in cinema, when you... Photo-6084989.82806 - Houston Chronicle

Image 2 of 27

4th June 1962: Italian film producer Dino de Laurentiis (left) deep in conversation with actor Anthony Quinn (1915 - 2001) at the premiere of 'Barabbas' at the New Odeon in London's Haymarket.

4th June 1962: Italian film producer Dino de Laurentiis (left) deep in conversation with actor Anthony Quinn (1915 - 2001) at the premiere of 'Barabbas' at the New Odeon in London's Haymarket.

(Left to right) Director William Wyler, actors Charleton Heston, Stephen Boyd and Haya Haraeet laughing holding a program at the Loews State on Broadway in New York City at the World Premire of "Ben Hur" On November 18, 1959. less

(Left to right) Director William Wyler, actors Charleton Heston, Stephen Boyd and Haya Haraeet laughing holding a program at the Loews State on Broadway in New York City at the World Premire of "Ben Hur" On ... more

Hedy Lamarr (1913-2000), Austrian actress, and Victor Mature (1913-1999), US actor, both in costume in a publicity portrait issued for the film, 'Samson and Delilah', 1949. The biblical epic, directed by Cecil B DeMille (1881-1959), starred Lamarr as 'Delilah', and Mature as 'Samson'. less

Hedy Lamarr (1913-2000), Austrian actress, and Victor Mature (1913-1999), US actor, both in costume in a publicity portrait issued for the film, 'Samson and Delilah', 1949. The biblical epic, directed by Cecil ... more

Richard Burton (1925-1984), British actor, wearing a breastplate, in a publicity still issued for the film, 'The Robe', 1953. The biblical epic, directed by Henry Koster (1905-1988), starred Burton as 'Marcellus Gallio'. less

Richard Burton (1925-1984), British actor, wearing a breastplate, in a publicity still issued for the film, 'The Robe', 1953. The biblical epic, directed by Henry Koster (1905-1988), starred Burton as ... more